Teamsters Local 727 representatives are fighting for five Dr. Pepper Snapple members’ jobs amid the company’s despicable attempts to intimidate and threaten both the employees and the union.

The company recently wrongfully terminated five members for allegedly drinking alcohol on a far, unmarked corner of company property while off the clock. Without a union representative present, management coerced three members into admitting guilt and added “lying” to the other two members’ termination notices.

Local 727 representatives immediately filed grievances on the members’ behalf, and the company then tried to get the union to withdraw two of the termination grievances in exchange for returning the other three members to work.

“Every single step of the way, management has used unjust, immoral tactics to try to intimidate their employees and union representatives,” said John Coli Jr., President of Local 727. “The company is attempting to force the union to abandon our members under threat of firing others, but we will not be bullied by this corporation. We will keep fighting for our members against the company’s unreasonable actions, no matter how long it takes.”

A Labor-Management meeting, where the grievances will be heard, is in the process of being scheduled.

Teamsters Local 727 represents nearly 10,000 hardworking men and women throughout the Chicago area, including about 500 workers at Dr. Pepper Snapple.

Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.

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